12 DISCIPLES LEADERS TURNS 5
On this day five years ago being March 10, 2020 I set up this group which I named the 12 Disciples Leaders. The aim of the group was to foster collaboration amongst Nigerians in politics in diaspora by leveraging our skill sets and experience. Early on we sought to create regular engagements in order to achieve the clearly defined objective but it was quite difficult to achieve.
I want to mention specifically Collins Nweke who has been a champion on many levels in offering advice, support and counsel. I was in London in December 2023 and in January I met Sunny Lambe who provided me with great insights about UK politics and his own journey in same. I had hoped then to meet Siju Adeoye and Sheun Oke but both were not able to meet me given that they both reside outside London. I was delighted to meet Cllr. Yemi Adenuga when she visited Johannesburg a couple of years ago and managed to host her for lunch at the Fairlawns Hotel and also Co-hosted her with Elizabeth Johnson ( President of the Nigerian Women Association of South Africa-NWASA).
So, after five years of creating this noble platform I am yet to meet Elaine Bannerman and Ike Okwuobi and of course the ladies I mentioned earlier.
A lot is happening in the world especially on the matter of Ukraine, Gaza, tarriffs and conflicts in Congo and Sudan. It is a very fragile world we live in. As diasporans we are more marginalised in our native Nigeria today than even in 2020 when this group was formed . Despite the vast remittances sent home by diasporans and the commanding heights and successes achieved by diasporans we are still a long from achieving any form of political relevance back home.
I must state however that I am delighted that one of our own is the current leader of the Conservative Party in Kemi Badenoch. I also want to congratulate Collins Nweke for his long eighteen years of service in Belgian politics which has now come to pass. I salute also Siju Adeoye for her bold move to the Conservative Party and Yemi Adenuga for keeping the flag flying in Ireland.
On my part, since I stood for the Chairmanship of the PDP in South Africa and lost same I have not done much heavy lifting in diaspora politics. I was however on tbe ground in Nigeria in 2023 to vote but INEC failed to produce my PVC in Oshodi . I managed to secure and interview on ARISE TV a few days after to complain about INEC’s incompetence and my disenfranchisement. My political career is far from over and in the coming months I will reveal my plans for the future .
I want to thank each and everyone here present for being part of this lofty group. I hope the next five years will bring us massive victories in our personal careers, our politics and also greater joy in the countries we live and our native land.
I salute you all and it has indeed been great knowing you all.
Happy 5th anniversary of 12DL.
Long Live our dreams and May God protect us all.
Adetunji Omotola
Founder
12 Disciples Leaders
10/10/25
